Yoon Joon-byung Faces Intra-Party Criticism Over 'Monthly Rent Defense' Remarks: "Must Be Careful with Expressions"

Yoon Joon-byung, a member of the Environment and Labor Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, is listening to the greeting of Song Ok-joo, the chairperson of the Environment and Labor Committee, at a meeting held on the morning of the 14th at the Korean Federation of Trade Unions in Yeouido, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Yoon Jun-byeong, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, sparked controversy by stating that "the conversion of jeonse to monthly rent is not a bad phenomenon," and criticism is also emerging within the ruling party.

Earlier, on the 1st, Rep. Yoon posted on his Facebook titled "Is the conversion of jeonse to monthly rent a bad phenomenon?"

Rep. Yoon said, "the conversion of jeonse to monthly rent is not a bad phenomenon but very normal," adding, "There are people who regret the disappearance of the jeonse system. Their level of awareness seems to be stuck in the past development era." He continued, "In a low-interest-rate era, monthly rent is an easier housing rental method for ordinary people than jeonse."

Online communities and others criticized Rep. Yoon's remarks. Netizens responded with comments such as, "Jeonse and monthly rent are fundamentally different concepts. Rep. Yoon's remarks are unrealistic and nonsensical," and "I wonder if Rep. Yoon has ever lived worrying about jeon-wol-se (jeonse and monthly rent)."

Photo by Yoon Joon-byeong, captured from the Facebook page of the Democratic Party of Korea.

Criticism of Rep. Yoon's remarks is also coming from within the ruling party. On the 3rd, Park Joo-min, a Democratic Party lawmaker, appeared on BBS Buddhist Broadcasting's 'Park Kyung-soo's Morning Journal' and said, "It is necessary to speak in a way that matches the public's sentiment and perspective," adding, "I think (Rep. Yoon) might have misread that part."

Park also said, "Is rental housing always a bad thing? I think he was pointing out that part, but I feel a bit disappointed that he could have been more cautious in his expression and other aspects."

On the same day, Kang Hoon-sik, the Democratic Party's chief spokesperson, told reporters that, speaking as a personal opinion rather than the party's stance, "Personally, if he understood the feelings of those without homes, I don't think it was good to say that," adding, "He should have been more careful."

In response to the controversy, Rep. Yoon appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' and said, "It is inappropriate to say that jeonse is good and monthly rent is bad." He explained, "Landlords or tenants may prefer jeonse or monthly rent depending on their circumstances."

Rep. Yoon also appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and emphasized, "The process of converting from jeonse to monthly rent is ongoing and seems to be a very natural trend."

He added, "However, policy authorities should carefully manage the conversion rate between jeonse and monthly rent so that monthly rent does not become more expensive than jeonse, to avoid additional burdens."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.